Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema, center, celebrates with Wisconsin running back Montee Ball (28) after a touchdown run during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

MADISON, Wis. — As Bret Bielema analyzed the challenge Wisconsin faces against Nebraska in the Big Ten Conference title game, he neither sounded nor looked like a coach whose team had lost three of its final four games, all in overtime.

Worn and worried? Hardly. Bielema appeared almost giddy because he believes Wisconsin is a healthier team today than the one that suffered a 30-27 loss at Nebraska in the teams’ league opener Sept. 29.

“That is what I’m excited about,” he said. “I’m not that kind of guy that’s going to give excuses, but there were a number of players in that game that didn’t practice or didn’t play that will be back at full strength.

“It has been kind of a difficult year for us. In my time here as a head coach I don’t know if I have had more players… that were great players who have missed entire ball games.”

Wisconsin (7-5, 4-4 Big Ten) is a three-point underdog against Nebraska (10-2, 7-1), which has won six consecutive games and is ranked No. 14 by The Associated Press.

With starting end David Gilbert held out of the starting lineup because of derogatory comments he made regarding quarterback Taylor Martinez, Wisconsin opened with its No. 4 and No. 5 defensive ends.

Middle linebacker Chris Borland, who suffered a strained medial collateral ligament in his right knee the previous week, wasn’t certain he would be able to play until shortly before kickoff.

“A true warrior,” Bielema said. “He sucked it up.”

Borland recorded nine tackles and recovered two fumbles in the loss to the Cornhuskers. Both fumble recoveries set up Wisconsin touchdowns.

“I didn’t know if I’d be able to play,” said Borland, adding he missed one day of practice before the first Nebraska game. “But did a good job in rehab and felt like I was strong enough to go.

“I didn’t think it affected my performance in my last meeting.”

Borland has missed the last two games because of a hamstring injury suffered Nov. 10 at Indiana. He practiced in full pads Tuesday, however, and expects to play this week.

“I will be healthy enough to play in this game and I’m excited for it,” Borland said. “I’m going to be vocal, both motivating and communicating on the field. Hopefully I can make guys comfortable out there, recognizing some things and identifying some things.

“But after that it’s got to be making plays. That is the best way to contribute.”

Despite missing two games, Borland is third on the team in tackles with 82. He leads the team in sacks with 41/2 and is tied for second on the team in tackles for loss with nine. He also has broken up six passes, recovered three fumbles and forced two.

Wisconsin will need its full complement of playmakers to slow a Nebraska team that finished the regular season No. 1 in the Big Ten in total offense (460.9 yards per game), No. 1 in rushing (252.2) and No. 2 in scoring (35.4 points per game).

“I think everybody on the offense has grown and gotten better as the season has gone on,” said Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, whose team was bolstered last week by the return of I-back Rex Burkhead, who had missed the previous four games because of a left-knee injury. “That is the mark of a good football team.

“We have to continue that improvement and hopefully play our best football game on Saturday because I think that’s what it’s going to take.”

Martinez generated 288 total yards in the victory over Wisconsin — 181 passing and 107 rushing.

He shrugged off the critical comments Gilbert made before the game and made several key plays. Two that stand out occurred on a four-play, 77-yard drive in the third quarter immediately after Wisconsin had built its lead to 27-10.

Facing third and 6, Martinez hit wide receiver Kenny Bell for 20 yards. Safety Marcus Trotter, filling in for Johnson, was called for a late hit, which put the ball on the 38.

Martinez executed a draw on the next play and scored untouched.

“He connected on some critical throws,” Bielema said of Martinez, who completed 17 of 29 attempts and passed for two scores. “Also had two or three big runs that kind of broke the game open and got our defense on their heels a little bit.”

With more depth at defensive end, Bielema believes Wisconsin can do a better job containing Martinez. With Johnson back at safety, Wisconsin should be able to limit Nebraska’s ability to make big plays.

“It was an experience I know our defense grew from quite a bit,” Bielema said. “Guys know what they needed to do, what they failed to do to get off the field in the third and fourth quarters to get us the victory.

“But we’re a completely different football team.”

Badgers enter Big Ten title game with healthier perspective

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